Michael Brissenden presents AM Monday to Friday from 8:00am on ABC Local Radio and 7:10am on Radio National. Join Elizabeth Jackson for the Saturday edition at 8am on Local Radio and 7am on Radio National.

More Current Affairs:

Transcript

David Kemp leaves politics

AM - Tuesday, 13 July , 2004 08:32:00

Reporter: Catherine McGrath

TONY EASTLEY: With an election only months away, the Howard Government has lost another senior minister. David Kemp told John Howard after yesterday's Cabinet meeting that he wanted to retire from politics for family reasons.

Dr Kemp, the Minister for Environment, denies he's leaving because of a series of policy losses. The 62-year-old former Professor of Politics at Monash University holds the safe seat of Goldstein in Melbourne's south-eastern bayside suburbs.

David Kemp spoke to Chief Political Correspondent Catherine McGrath.

DAVID KEMP: I've reached the view that 15 years since my preselection is long enough for the family. I can't really ask them for another three years, and so I've decided to step down as the candidate for Goldstein.

CATHERINE MCGRATH: Darryl Williams was seen as being quite late in announcing his resignation which occurred on the 5th of April. This is now July – it does beg the question, is there something behind this? Is there some controversy to come out, or some disagreement with the Government?

DAVID KEMP: No, there is no disagreement with the Government. I remain as I always have been, very, very supportive of the Government, and I think the Prime Minister's doing a magnificent job.

CATHERINE MCGRATH: Yet you leave the Government in a difficult position to find a replacement at such short notice?

DAVID KEMP: Well, these decisions are never easy or straightforward decisions but I've not been one of those who believe that we will be going to a very early election. I think there's still good time for the party to run its processes and to make a considered choice of candidate to stand at the election.

CATHERINE MCGRATH: You have had losses around the Cabinet table most recently on the mandatory renewable energy target. Has that coloured your decision?

DAVID KEMP: Well, I consider I've had very big wins around the Cabinet table in terms of the really excellent environment component of the energy package. I've been delighted also of course with the recent decisions on the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef and the achievement of the Royal Exhibition Building as Australia's first building on the World Heritage Register.

CATHERINE MCGRATH: There have been some reports that you are unhappy in Environment – much happier in Education – not satisfied when you were moved to that position and so the prospect of continuing on in that was just simply unattractive?

DAVID KEMP: (Laughs) You really surprise me! I've loved the Environment as a portfolio and I've been very proud of the Government's very strong environment record. I truly believe that the Howard Government has been the best government for the Environment in Australia's history and it's been wonderful to be a part of that.